On November 15 &16, 2013 the
Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center (EACC) in Tarpum Bay hosted a beach plastic
workshop lead by Miami artist and designer Barbara de Vries. Barbara started the organization Plastic is Forever after she found plastic on the beach in Eleuthera. After falling in love with these plastic items she began to make jewelry. As a fellow anti beach plastic pollution activist, she teaches local Bahamian kids about beach plastic through workshops. Barbara is AWESOME, I have been inspired tremendously by her and her beautiful work!
The workshop,
which focused on utilizing beach plastic to create Christmas inspired
ornamental art, drew participants from throughout South Eleuthera. Plastic
pollution is an increasingly global issue and has detrimental effects on our
environment and health. With our extensive coastline, the islands of The
Bahamas are highly susceptible to severe plastic debris accumulation on its shorelines.
This could potentially have a negative effect on the tourist industry as
visitors travel from near and far, especially to experience the beautiful pink
sand beaches of Eleuthera. The goal of the workshop was to empower locals to utilize discarded
resources found on the beach and use it to develop artwork for a profit. The
event was a success and inspired everyone to think creatively and view beach plastic in
a different light. The Cape Eleuthera Institute team members were able to
participate and create their own plastic Christmas ornaments. A great time was
had by all!
Photo Credit: Barbara de Vries
